6 Day Budget Desert and Waterberg Plateau Lodging Safari

Hammerstein Lodge, Sossusvlei (335.8km)

Arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport and welcome by your local guide and onward journey via Rehoboth and Maltahöhe to the lodge. Amidst a relatively dense forest area of camelthorn, sweet-thorn and candle acacia lies the historic town of Rehoboth. Like many towns in Namibia, Rehoboth was once a mission station.

It is inhabited by the “Baster” community, which consists of the descendants of people of mixed ancestry who, under their leader Hermanus van Wyk, moved across the Orange River and settled in Rehoboth in 1870. Maltahöhe was founded in 1900, lies 111 km west of Mariental and was named after Malta van Burgsdorff, the wife of the commander of the garrison in Gibeon.

The cemetery east of the town contains more than 40 graves of the German “Schutztruppe” who died in numerous battles against Hendrik Witbooi and in the Nama uprising.

Sandcastle B&B and Self-Catering Apartments, Swakopmund (393.6km)

Before sunrise, we start from Hammerstein (with breakfast packs) and drive to Sesriem, the entrance gate to Sossusvlei/Namib Naukluft Park. Here you have the opportunity to climb one of the highest sand dunes in the world.

Sossusvlei is a dune wonderland, with dunes up to 300 m high surrounding a huge, dried-up pan. The dunes stretch as far as the eye can see and their rich hues vary from pale apricot to bright reds and oranges. During a good rainy season, the Tsauchab River flows into the pan, creating a haven for waterfowl.

Even in the dry season, oryx, springbok, and ostrich can be seen feeding on the sparse vegetation along the watercourse. After a visit to the Park, we depart to Swakopmund.

Sandcastle B&B and Self-Catering Apartments, Swakopmund

After a lovely breakfast at our hotel, we can take a city tour with an excursion to Walvis Bay, or explore this picturesque and beautiful town at leisure on foot. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch at a restaurant of your choice in Swakopmund.

Walvis Bay is Namibia’s main port town and is increasingly becoming a desirable place for a coastal holiday. Attractions include the lagoon with its rich birdlife, which is home to a total of some 80,000 wading birds, including flamingos and the rare white pelicans.

Waterberg Andersson Camp, Waterberg Plateau National Park (476.1km)

After a leisurely wake-up and a luxurious breakfast, we set off for Namibia’s extremely popular Waterberg. We drive via Usakos, Karibib and Wilhelmstahl and Otjiwarongo.

Lunch at Crocodile Ranch before we drive to Waterberg Camp and check-in. Originally known to the Herero as Kanubes, Otjiwarongo is said to mean “beautiful place” or “place of fat cattle” as the area is known for its cattle farms. Situated about 250 km north of Windhoek, on a hillside amid rolling plains, Otjiwarongo District is home to many guest farms and lodges.

Two interesting features of the place are the Otjiwarongo Crocodile Ranch, where crocodiles are bred, and the Cheetah Conservation Fund, an internationally renowned organization. The CCF’s mission is to ensure the long-term survival of the cheetah through research, conservation, and education.

Waterberg Andersson Camp, Waterberg Plateau National Park

After an early breakfast, you will have a morning plateau hike for 2-3 hours your hiking guide climbs the plateau with you (approx. 150 m above the plains). He explains the plants and animals in the park to you and gives you an insight into the daily life and culture of the Herero people living in this area.

Terrific view of the valley or of the plains of the Kalahari and in the afternoon nature trail whereby you explore the valley of the nature reserve “Botanical Garden”. You will dine under the stars and enjoy the romance of the fire until the wildlife calls of the nights fade away and you fall asleep.

End of Itinerary (289.9km)

You will get early breakfast and depart back to Windhoek.